Wondering if anyone has been kind enough to stop and give the poor soul that stands out by Walmart anything besides money? Myself I have not. I have talked to two others who have. One offered a bag of jerky and a bottle of water. To which he responded "I dont want that I want money." The gentleman went to set it down by his backpack anyway and was told "get your poop and get out of here." Same story different gift, different people...same response. I just dont get it. Anyone??

Have you stopped and talked with the gentleman? Could be he will lack the social skills to converse - could be he is ill and not capable of it -- but it could be you'd learn something about him that would help you to answer your questions.

I've met a couple very interesting people over the years by talking with street people & panhandlers. I've also met some that were hostile, some who were too dysfunctional to talk with, some who just plain had nothing to say to me. But that's kind of the way it goes when you interact with people.

I agree with Hal. With one-third of the homeless population suffering from untreated psychiatric illnesses, judging them from an everyman perspective is not very helpful. We all know people who criticize those on the street, telling them to "get a job." Unfortunately, those suffering from serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are neither capable of convincing an employer to hire them, nor maintaining an employee/employer relationship and gainful employment.

Add to the seriously mentally ill, those with severe drug and alcohol dependencies, and you have two-thirds of the homeless population. What they need to survive is not what you can give. It's a sad cycle and one with no easy answers.

I commend you both for seeing more than I do...........Booze and Crack.

A lot of times the booze and other things are an attempt to self medicate...

I don't know if it's like here in Billings but there are several people who work together. They only take money and they split it after their "shifts" for the day are over.

I agree that mental stability comes into play. I also say to be cautious when dealing with people who may be mentally ill. If they are not receptive to you walk away.

There's a real chance these days that the homeless people are interacting with may be veterans. Give that some thought before you dismiss them so quickly.

when I see them smoking cigarettes, that gives me pause as they are so expensive to buy...I just wish we could do more for the homeless in this nation....

A friend of mine once offered a panhandler a day job. He asked how much and my friend responded $50. He laughed and said I make double that (was not in Miles City, but still!).

My lesson in that was to donate to things like the soup kitchen, women's shelter, etc. that truly help people and in a way that doesn't support any addictions.

I commend you both for seeing more than I do...........Booze and Crack.

Is that some how worse than being able to hold down some type of job and choosing to milk off the government teet in stead?

Who's to say that they're not collecting welfare as well? I have a feeling that panhandling money isn't getting reported to the IRS.

As others have said, your money is better spent by donating to organizations that reach out to street people than giving them money directly and enabling whatever destructive choices they may or may not be making. Tumbleweed in Billings is a good example, or the soup kitchen in Miles City.

[This message has been edited by Levi Forman (11/18/2012)]

Well, Levi, since we all know welfare recipients are all ribeye-eating, Cadillac-driving, iPhone-using, lazy cheats, panhandling would be completely unnecessary, not to mention far too much work.

No one said to just dismiss them. I said to be cautious. And just because a panhandler may be a veteran doesn't make them any safer! In fact just the opposite. PTSD is a horrible condition that can build inside a veteran and no one knows when they are going to snap to try and release the pain. TBI makes people unstable.

As for all those rants about I-pod using, cadillac driving.....
They were not even brough up in this thread so I don't get why that was even written.

There are many places people can get help. Charitable organizations abound. The thing is many people prefer to provide for themselves, even if it's by panhandling. Perhaps their mental illness keeps them from being able to hold a steady job. I know someone who is bi-polar who can't work. Just being around people causes her anxiety levels to skyrocket and she snaps. That is while she is on three different meds for her condition.

So who knows what is really going on. All we can do it support those organizations we believe in and hope that people who need help will reach out for it.

And just because a panhandler may be a veteran doesn't make them any safer! In fact just the opposite. PTSD is a horrible condition that can build inside a veteran and no one knows when they are going to snap to try and release the pain. TBI makes people unstable.

I have no words for this.

Best panhandler I ever saw was in Memphis, His sign read "Won't lie, Need Beer". People were giving him money. Honesty in advertising.

I've gotten to know a couple of those panhandler types and they confided that they can clear between $300 and $600 per day, depending on location.

"I've gotten to know a couple of those panhandler types and they confided that they can clear between $300 and $600 per day, depending on location."

I would bet they are doing nearly that well in MC

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I've given spare change or a coupla bucks to that down and out stranger on the corner after leaving walmart (where i usually end up spending more money than i intended to on unnecessary unneeded crap). I doubt i would trust food/drink handed off to me from strangers if i were put in that persons situation. Far be it for me to judge the person or circumstances that landed them having to resort to panhandling - my guess is that not too many of those folks secretely have a nice home and/or loving family that awaits them somewhere. Today and everyday I appreciate the blessings given to me in life. On this thanksgiving day I am thankful for ALL that i have.

I just reread my post. Somehow the 'nt was left off the are. It must be this g*d !am keyboard,not old age and senility.

Giving a gift card to any restaurant or grocery store maybe a good idea...

Jesus said, "When you give to the least of these, you give to me." Who are the least? , the poorest? the mentlly ill, the least deserving?, the crack users? Whoever it is ,it's a harsh life and a tough way to make a living.